Taking suo motu cognisance of violence during Jat quota stir in Haryana, the State Human Rights Commission has issued notices to authorities concerned seeking their responses by April 18.
The Commission on Wednesday issued notices to NHAI, Railways, Haryana Principal Secretary Environment and Conservator Forests and the State’s Principal Secretary, Irrigation seeking their reply on various losses suffered by them during the Jat agitation and action taken by them.
HHRC’s ( Haryana Human Rights Commission) chairperson Justice Vijender Jain (retd) while talking to the mediapersons on Wednesday said that so far, we have issued notices to nine authorities seeking their reply related to the losses suffered and action taken by them during the Jat quota stir in Haryana.
HHRC while taking suo motu cognizance of unfortunate incidents during the Jat quota agitation in the State had on March 4 decided to inquire into the violation of human rights and negligence in the prevention of such violation by a public servant.
“On March 4, we had issued notices to Haryana’s Chief Secretary, State DGP, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, who wwere asked to file a response on behalf of the Chief Minister,” said the Commission’s chairpersons.
On media reports of rape and molestation during Jat stir near Murthal in Sonipat, Justice Jain said that so far, no one has made any complaint to them in this regard.
Notices were earlier issued to the Director General of Civil Aviation and the Secretary Civil Aviation as there were charges that some airlines charged hefty sums of money from travellers between Chandigarh and Delhi as the national highway was blocked due to Jat stir.
A representative of a private carrier appeared before the Commission, said Justice Jain adding that three other operators have sought more time to appear. “If they don't appear at all, we will pass ex-parte order then,” he added.
Justice Jain, a former Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice said that the Commission is conducting an independent inquiry into the incidents of violence, loot and arson during the Jat stir in the state last month.
The Commission had invoked Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, to issue notices to the authorities, who have been asked to file their responses by April 18.
The Commission will come out with a report within three months, said he.
Section 13 deals with powers of the Commission with regard to inquiries, empowers it with powers of a civil court trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
HHRC has also deputed its members and officers to visit the riot affected areas during the Jat stir.
Replying to a question, Justice Jain said if it is found that the government officers failed to ensure peace and protect the lives and liberty of the citizens, then they will be held responsible.
He added that there is a misconception that the Human Rights Commission is a “toothless tiger”. The government is bound to take action on our report which it has to accept within a month and if they don't then they have to give reasons for the same,” he said.
He added under the Act, “If the government does not take action, the Commission has the option to go to High Court or the apex court. We have power of recommendations of prosecution against the officers.”
Justice Jain said the protesters had inflicted heavy damage to Munak canal near Sonipat, which had resulted in water supply to Delhi getting badly affected for a few days. Thus, a notice has been given to Principal Secretary of Irrigation as Munak Canal was damaged. Reports said the protesters used JCB machine and other mechanical apparatus. As per media reports, the authorities have said repairing the damaged canal could take 3-4 weeks. So, we want to know what is the mechanism of the government and the Irrigation Department to prevent such an incident from happening in the future, he said.
A notice has also been issued to Principal Secretary, Environment, and Conservator Forests, Haryana as there were reports that 17,000 trees had been axed by protesters. The Commission has asked the officer to provide details right from the forest guard at what time did he pass on the information that such a thing was taking place.
The Commission has sought details that if the forest guard brought the incident of cutting trees to the notice of his superiors and what action was taken. Police must have registered FIRs and what about investigations… If such a large number of trees were cut, where did they vanish, the HHRC has asked.
Also, as several roads including key highways NH-1 and NH-10, were blocked by the protesters, therefore NHAI has been asked to respond whether they had filed any complaint against those who had blocked the roads and if they had made one, then what action was taken by authorities concerned, including the police.
With reports that 17 railway stations were burnt by protesters during the Jat stir, the notice has also been issued to the Railways, informed Justice Jain.
He said that Dheeraj Setia, DSP of the Commission will get the information as to which all Railway Stations and police stations have been damaged by the miscreants so that the teams of the Commission while visiting those particular districts may assess the damage.
Justice HS Bhalla, member of the Commission will visit Panipat-Sonipat, Justice J S Ahlawat, another member will visit Jhajjar, GK Khanna, Registrar of the Commission will visit Rohtak to assess the damage caused to the public and private properties during the Jat agitation.
Some other members and officers of the Commission will also visit other areas including Jind, Hisar, Bhiwani and Kaithal.
The HHRC in its orders on March 4 had observed, “Continuously, the people of Haryana as well others from the adjoining states suffered misery, rape, arson, loot and vandalisation of private and public property. After effect of agitation resulted and manifested its ugliest face as law and order completely broke down in Haryana for atleast five days from February 19 to 23. HHRC cannot remain a silent spectator to the recent events resulted from the Jat reservation agitation.”